But a quick perusal of other defensive ends who went in the top 10 in the past 10 drafts shows that Clowney's gifts don't really stand out, except for his 40 time (4.53 seconds). Remember, though, that his athleticism isn't the only reason he could be the first overall pick. He has a unique blend of athleticism and production.

There have been 38 defensive ends selected in the first round in the past 10 drafts, including eight in the top 10. Of those 38, some did not play defensive end in college; players who were defensive ends in college but drafted as outside linebackers were not included in this study.

Here is a look at how Clowney compares with other top-10 ends, both with his combine numbers and college statistics.

2013 DRAFT

Four defensive ends went in the first round, with two going in the top 10.

Dion Jordan (No. 3 to Miami)Particulars: 6-6, 248Noteworthy combine numbers: 4.60 seconds in the 40-yard dash; 32.5-inch vertical jump; 7.02 seconds in the three-cone drill; 4.35 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle; no bench press College production: 14.5 sacks and 29 tackles for loss in three seasons as a DE at Oregon (Jordan was originally a WR for the Ducks)Pro production: 26 tackles and two sacks as a rookie in 2013, when he played in 16 games and made zero starts

Ziggy Ansah (No. 5 to Detroit)Particulars: 6-5, 271Noteworthy combine numbers: 4.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash; 34.5-inch vertical jump; 7.11 seconds in the three-cone drill; 4.26 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle; 21 reps in the bench press College production: 4.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in three seasons at BYUPro production: 32 tackles and eight sacks as a rookie in 2013, when he played in 14 games and made 12 starts

2012 DRAFT

Four defensive ends went in the first round, with none going in the top 10.

2011 DRAFT

Six defensive ends went in the first round, with none going in the top 10.

2010 DRAFT

Five defensive ends went in the first round, with none going in the top 10.

2009 DRAFT

Four defensive ends went in the first round, with one going in the top 10.

Tyson Jackson (No. 3 to Kansas City)Particulars: 6-4, 296Noteworthy combine numbers: 4.94 seconds in the 40-yard dash; 28.5-inch vertical jump; 7.64 seconds in the three-cone drill; 4.80 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle; no bench press College production: 17 sacks and 26.5 tackles in four seasons at LSU for lossPro production: 201 tackles and 10 sacks in 74 career games, including 55 starts. Single-season high of four sacks in 2013. Recently signed a free-agent deal with Atlanta.

2008 DRAFT

Four defensive ends went in the first round, with two going in the top 10.

Chris Long (No. 2 to St. Louis)Particulars: 6-4, 275Noteworthy combine numbers: 4.75 seconds in the 40-yard dash; 34-inch vertical jump; 7.02 seconds in the three-cone drill; 4.21 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle; no bench press College production: 21 sacks and 43 tackles for loss in four seasons at VirginiaPro production: 50.5 sacks and 222 tackles in 96 career games, including 84 starts. Single-season high of 13 sacks in 2011.

Derrick Harvey (No. 8 to Jacksonville)Particulars: 6-5, 271Noteworthy combine numbers: no 40-yard dash; no vertical jump; 7.27 seconds in the three-cone drill; 4.36 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle; 31 reps in the bench press College production: 20.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss in three seasons at FloridaPro production: Made 92 tackles and eight sacks in 52 career games. Single-season high of 3.5 sacks in 2008. Career lasted four seasons.

2007 DRAFT

There were three first-round ends, with two going in the top 10.

Gaines Adams (No. 4 to Tampa Bay)Particulars: 6-5, 258Noteworthy combine numbers: 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash; 35-inch vertical jump; 7.17 seconds in the three-cone drill; 4.36 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle; no bench press College production: 29 sacks and 43.5 tackles for loss in four seasons at ClemsonPro production: Made 93 tackles and 13.5 sacks in 47 career games covering four seasons. Single-season high of 6.5 sacks in 2008. Died of a heart condition after the 2009 season while a member of the Chicago Bears.

Jamaal Anderson (No. 8 to Atlanta)Particulars: 6-5, 288Noteworthy combine numbers: No combine workout College production: 17.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss in three seasons at ArkansasPro production: Made 96 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 77 career games. Single-season high of three sacks in 2011. Career lasted six seasons.

2006 DRAFT

Three defensive ends went in the first round, with one going in the top 10.

Mario Williams (No. 1 to Houston)Particulars: 6-7, 295Noteworthy combine numbers: 4.66 seconds in the 40-yard dash; 40.5-inch vertical jump; 7.19 seconds in the three-cone drill; 4.36 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle; no bench press College production: 25.5 sacks and 52 tackles for loss in three seasons at North Carolina StatePro production: 76.5 sacks and 325 tackles in 114 career games (all starts). Four seasons with double-digit sacks, including a single-season high of 14 in 2007.

2005 DRAFT

Three defensive ends went in the first round, but none went in the top 10.

2004 DRAFT

Two defensive ends went in the first round, but none went in to the top 10.

NOTABLE

In the past 10 drafts, three players who went to the combine as defensive ends were top-10 picks as outside linebackers: Barkevious Mingo (to Cleveland out of LSU), sixth overall in 2013; Aldon Smith (to San Francisco out of Missouri), seventh overall in 2011; and Vernon Gholston (to the New York Jets out of Ohio State), sixth overall in 2008. Each had some combine numbers that stood out.

Mingo (6-4, 241) was timed in 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 6.84 seconds in the three-cone drill and 4.39 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle, and had a 37-inch vertical jump.

Smith (6-4, 263) was timed in 7.19 seconds in the three-cone drill and 4.50 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle, and did 20 reps in the bench press.

Gholston (6-4, 258) was timed in 7.12 seconds in the three-cone drill and 4.40 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle, and did 37 reps in the bench press. His career lasted just three seasons and he had zero sacks.

Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.